HUDSONVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) — The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department says two teens will face charges after being caught stealing from vehicles parked in a church lot — and they may be connected to a dozen other larcenies.

Sunday, workers at the Wellspring Church on Bauer Road noticed two people going through vehicles during church service, according to sheriff’s department Capt. Mark Bennett.

When deputies got to the scene, the pair tried to take off in a vehicle, but got stuck in a snowbank. The female driver stayed in the car while the male passenger tried to run. He was caught quickly.

Both had property that was stolen from vehicles in the church parking lot, Bennett said.

Madison Lane Sutherlin, 17, from Georgetown Township was arrested for illegal use of a financial device. Her bond was set at $3,000.

The 16-year-old male was turned over to his parents. The sheriff’s department is seeking charges, which will likely be filed in juvenile court.

Authorities suspect the pair and other suspects may be involved in several other thefts over the past couple of weeks. There were 12 other larcenies of cash and credit cards totaling about $1,000 in losses. The cards, Bennett said, would be used immediately after being stolen.

The thefts from unlocked vehicles happened at Faith Protestant Reformed on 20th Avenue, Fairhaven Church on Baldwin Street and Sunset Manor retirement home on Baldwin Street.

Bennett said more arrests are likely.

Anyone with information is asked to call Silent Observer at 1.877.88.SILENT (745368).

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